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Cowboys Must Be Patient With About-To-Break-Out Bryant

On Monday morning, Dez Bryant was detained (not arrested!) recently after a scuffle and kerfluffle at a Miami nightclub. The timing was peculiar, insofar as it coincided with (but, strangely, didn’t motivate) several conversations about trading the talented wideout (if you're interested in following this non-story, go here or here) and questions about what Dallas might get in return (the short answer, according to Bryan Broaddus, who sent some inquiries into NFL front offices, where he still maintains strong connections, is "not much").

The Cowboys braintrust, specifically Stephen Jones, has been adamant that the mercurial receiver is not on the market, and never has been. Many fans, perhaps fed up with Bryant’s immaturity, or disappointed by his failure to live up to pre-draft hype that characterized him as ready-to-play version of Andre or Clavin Johnson, have voiced their displeasure with this public declaration. They cite sources who maintain that Dez has been fined repeatedly and extensively for violations of team protocol (he was late for the first team meeting after the lockout), and thus presents a distraction to the team (and from Jason Garrett’s message). Smells of WKG, don't it?

Even though I support Garrett's weeding out the WKGs from the Dallas roster, I must say that, for once, I agree with Stephen Jones on this one. In terms of the ol' eyeball test, Bryant improved his game in 2011; he ran better routes and seemed to have a firmer grasp of the playbook. Numerous reports circulated that he was working harder on his craft and beginning to "get it."

Beyond rumor and the eyeball test, we can cite statistically-driven evaluations. The fine folks at Pro Football Reference offer Approximate Value (AV) scores for each player, in order to measure his contribution to the team’s success; number 88 earned a respectable 7 in 2010 and and added to that last season, notching an 8. Pro Football Focus offers more specific evaluation, meticulously grading each play, a process that yields both single game and full-season cumulative totals. Bryant earned a 2.7 in his rookie season; in 2011, that ballooned to 12.2, the second-highest offensive grade on the team, behind Tyron Smith. These figures suggest that, in his two years as a pro, Dez is carving out a significant upward curve, and I think this is likely to continue, such that he breaks out in 2012.

See why after the jump...

Star-divide

To support this claim, I’d like to direct your attention to a recent study published at Football Docs. In what is ostensibly an article about fantasy football strategy, they take a look at all receivers selected in the 1998-2008 drafts, marking their breakout years. As their charts demonstrate, some guys, like Randy Moss in 1998 or Anquan Boldin in 2003, made an immediate splash. But they are the exception; the majority of wideouts, the Football Docs discovered, break through in year three. Here's the year in which most guys "broke out":

1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year
6 19 27 13

While it may be true that Dez's psychological makeup or strange over-competitiveness will prevent him from realizing his potential, a strong historical precedent suggests that he is on the cusp of doing so--many Hall of Fame caliber wideouts haven't become the man until year three or four. Lets take a look at an admittedly small smattering of examples (I chose them because of the striking similarity of their early careers), comparing them to Bryant's two-year stat line:

1st Year Yds/ TDs 2nd Year Yds/ TDs 3rd Year Yds/ TDs
Dez Bryant 561/ 6 928 / 9 ???
Terrell Owens 520/4 936/8 1097/ 14
Steve Largent 705/ 4 643/ 10 1168/ 8
Greg Jennings 632/3 920/12 1292/9

Pretty comparable. It's important to remember that NFL receivers often take several years to develop; this is particularly true of players, like Dez, who rely on superior athleticism to dominate at the collegiate level.

The moral of this story: for every Drew Pearson, who met with early success (he broke out in his second season, with career highs in catches and yards), there is a Michael Irvin, who didn’t break out until his fourth year (he's joined, more recently, by Colts stalwarts Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, both of whom got over the hump in year four). What do they have in common? All were perennial All-Pros, and a couple of them should join Irvin in the Hall of Fame. That potential is simply too potent for the Cowboys not to be patient with the kid. I'm willing to be, I know that...

What think ye, BTBers? Is Dez is on his way to join this illustrious company, or is this another of Ol' Rabble's hallucinations?

1 recs  |  204 comments

Comments

Easily he will have a monster year.

First offseason, better OL, Murray, healthy Austin and Robinson?

Look for 1400 14tds 80 catches.

Possibly a G away from an elite offense.
are you serious? 1 Guards picked with the 14th pick is going to make this offense elite. right sure

Possibly a G away from an elite offense.

In my opinion

the only thing keeping this offense from being elite is the oline. So i would say 1 guard and a center.

If you can find adequacy out of Costa or Kowalski you're just a guard away

A new elite guard and an adequate center? I’d say both are pretty possible. I’d say the OL and another running back (maybe like even a rich man’s choice) are keeping this team’s offense from being elite.

Can't comprehend...
Na

wayy to much for dez lol but hey we can dream cant we? id love it if it happened but i doubt it with austin dez witten murray felix and hopfully LR

+88

I (like most others) expect a breakout year next year from Dez, but we are not a one weapon offense, that is alot of yardage to one guy with an offense that spreads it around like we have done recently

Idk Austin did it in 09

With only starting 11 games.

yeah but other than Witten who did Tony Have to throw to?

Roy E. Williams and Patrick Crayton

most of the better offenses have multiple weapons

they go 4 & 5 deep at WR. a stable of RBs in NE & NO. TEs that can line up anywhere & create mismatches with just about any defender

2012 is his year

this is my favorite player and that will never change
I got your back Dez

It's very rare that WRs come into the league

and instantly blow up like Randy Moss and Anquan Boldin.

Dez’s first two seasons haven’t been disappointments at all.

Both those players peaked early

But they also dropped off rather quickly. The great ones that took the time to develop stayed on top for a long period once they got there.

I hope you're right. If the Cowboys are to regain the NFC title, they have to,

among other things, match the Giants & Eagles in big time receivers. Bryant is the key for that to happen.

'Twould be nice for Dez to end up around 1100 yds and 10 TDs

But what I am really waiting to see is Dez just take over a game. I mean, just Blow It Up.

+1

Yeah, the season stats would be nice, but I also want to see him take a game over, and make a win out of a loss. Will the team to victory. I’m looking for more of the Irvin type on the field leader type of game for him.

I think he has it in him.

Last time a Cowboys receiver took over a game was Austin

when we played KC in ’09

Dez in 2010 @ the giants

He was unstoppable that game. The KC game for Miles was once in a lifetime. 10 catches for 250 yards.

Probably 1000+ yds

Still has work to do. He should be the No.1 receiver.

Dez is not a smart guy.

But he has HOF talent. If he can keep the off field distractions away he can really be special. Reps for a full off season should make him better in 2012. Actually, he may get even better in 2013 & 2014. He plays hard and dosen’t appear to be a “me” guy so the odds are good that the Cowboys really have something in Dez.

"If he can keep the off field distractions away he can really be special."

Like Michael Irvin right?

Trade our most talented WR because our "genius" coach is afraid to call plays for him??

That makes sense.

For those of us who are critical (of the onfield not off-field issues) the point is what was given up to get him.

Do you really get that much value from a WR unless they ARE an immediate impact player?
He’d better break out next year or that pick’s a Bust. It’s one thing if he was a 2nd rounder or lower.

1000 yards is nothing, remember. That’s 65 yards a game! He really needs to be top 10 (1200 yards +) and also be a real difference maker in big games to justify the pick. (His only big catches have come on broken plays and were more about Romo than him.)

All that said, trading him would be moronic. I sure hope he goes Big-Time next year.

Big catches vs. Redskins twice, and Cardinals to put us in position to win games.

He makes plays. As for yards he has Austin, Robinson, and Witten who also get the ball.

Optimus will have a great year next year

I really believe it.

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows about the 3rd year wide receiver theory

You draft WRs in their 3rd season because they tend to breakout.

I believe Dez is on track to be a classic case of the 3rd year breakout WR.

Yardage wise I assume.

Because 9 TD’s is good.

He will need to improve his route running a lot
I think he will with an off-season with Jimmy Robinson

He’s got all the physical tools
He should have the desire after watching Laurent Robinson show him up because of his route running.

Physical tools plus desire plus Jimmy Robinson equals a great year for Dez in 2013!

can he be great in 2012 first?
He can be great

EVERY DAY!

Warren Moon talking about Dez lacking brain cells without being around the kid is offensive

Just because they put a mic in front of your face doesn’t give you the right to say things like that. just lost respect for Moon.

Real man in his position would reach out to Dez and try to help him become a better man and pro, not bash him on a radio station that doesn’t even matter.

Say what you want about Micheal Irving, but thats what he does for guys all over the league. Thats a man I can respect.

Warren Moon has had a history with the police that is far worse then anything Dez has done.

Why would you say a radio station in Seattle does not matter?

i think what he means is ...

the radio station in seattle doesnt mean anything around here or in this matter and for Moon to talk about somebody like that , he doesnt spend any time around ( i doubt ) kinda made Moon look and sound a lil silly. Personally if i would have been Warren id have spoken differently or skipped the question .

Exactly what I meant
Ok I understand
I doubt that Dez isn't smart. Then teams don't draft you cause they can't fix stupid.

Immaturity is more difficult to predict. Guys like Lawrence Phillips who just throw a career away and guys like Plaxico who couldn’t grow up even in his 30’s just defy all logic. Just don’t know how this story ends yet.

Hey pot meet kettle.. Moon is a damn wife beater so i wouldnt listen to him for squat
Exactly

So Warren, explain how getting into a fight with a woman you’ve taken vows to protect is smarter than getting into a fight with a man in a bar?

And Dez wasn’t charged, so there’s a good chance he was defending himself or at least wasn’t the aggressor.

Dez

is a beast…he will be fine…..the scuffle is a non story in my opinion, he is on the right track, has great passion and talent….he will be fine. I am more worried about Lauren Robinson….do we sign him or not. His career has been very injury prone…if we resign him do we get the same old LR that cannot stay healthy or do we get the 2011 LR…crap shoot if you ask me….

dont think Robinson will be hard to resign, he wants to stay and dallas wants em too.
I hope you are right..and I hope JJ still wants a Romo friendly O
I am not concered

with the ability to resign LR I am concerned with what player will we get. The injury prone WR he has been prior to 2011 or the 2011 version, I love what he brought and if we sign him want to see him keep playing at that level

Route running is all this kid needs.

Then instant top 10 WR.

I often remark that I’m concerned that Bryant is so physically gifted that he may not care to learn the intricacies of the position.

I wouldn't.

He made huge strides from what I’ve seen. Look at Romo’s interception vs. New England. That’s all Bryant’s fault. Yet look at one of his catches on the same exact slant route later in the year. The difference was he made a perfect cut, and didn’t round out. When he cut he gave the CB no edge to come pick off the ball. He’s learning.

He did seem to improve as the season went on

that’s a great sign that even better days are ahead for Dez.

like Vick admitted

that has concerned me as well, you just hope the others in the Dallas org that are there and put in the work every day are examples he can learn from

Dez didn't play

football his junior year and came out early so he didn’t play his senior year in college but was a rookie in the NFL. He got injured in his rookie year and there was a lockout prior to his second year. He plays with a HOF TE. Can we get a little perspective and tone down the expectations just a little bit?

kinda like Ocho Oh No

he was so fast & didnt have a clue of where to be. no wonder Palmer refused go back

Dez Worries me because

Ive never really seen him take over a game. and again and again i see that he fades away in the 2nd half and i dont think he had a single game in which he cracked 100 yards this season. but still i wont give up on him yet. to much raw natural talent but he just needs to find away to put it together for 4 quarters i doubt he will have 1400 yards and 14 TDS like ive seen people put but ill say maybe 1,050 yards with maybe 7 TD’s

Are 100yd games that important?

If you look at his yds per game he didnt hit the 100yd mark this year, but he did have dominant performances.. He had 3 games with 6 catches and 1 game with 8.. I dont know what you consider dominant but thats pretty damn good.. Also I think the whole “He fades in the 2nd half” is mis-informed TMZ style talk.. How can he fade if he isnt thrown to? Something interesting I found on ESPN stats is his catches per quarter: (2011)
1st- 19
2nd- 18
3rd- 8
4th- 17
Why is his 3rd quarter production so low? Does JG forget about him? This is the same trend from 2010. So is it his fault or is he not targeted?

I would wager that it is several things

Opponent Adjustments, fewer Offensive plays(Dallas rarely gets the ball first to start the second half), etc…

and / or we get

run heavy in the 3rd would be interested in seeing if there is the same drop off for the other Cowboys’ receptions

Exactly..

Thats why I think that mantra of him “Falling Off” in the second half is TMZ type headline stuff.. Same thing about Tony not being “Tuff” or “Not Clutch..” Its funny how the hate is thrown at our team and next thing you know it sticks in prime media outlets…

Another reason why I love this site…. Its like ESPN on steriods with less fat content!! More insight & information + less TMZ style talk…

It normally takes a receiver 2-3 years to really become accustomed to the league

Take a look at Crabtree. He gets a bit of a pass because he had that whole holdout thing that happened. But he really came into his own in his (redshirt) sophomore year in the NFL. I call him redshirted even though he played 11 games his rookie year because he had no training camp or anything that year and missed the first part of the season.

Crabtree had 72 receptions for 874 yards but only 4 touchdowns.
he had 55 catches for 741 yards and 6 touchdowns

Bryant had 63 catches for 928 yards and 9 touchdowns
he had 45 catches for 561 yards and 6 touchdowns in his rookie year.

You can see the similarities in their production, only Bryant in his rookie year got injured and also only started 2 games out of the 12 he played in while Crabtree has started every game. I predict both of these players will have breakout years next year.

the second set of stats are from the previous year

Or what I would consider both to be their first full seasons with training camps and everything, so basically their rookie seasons.

Hope your right about Dez

Crabtree? not so much didnt like him coming out of collage and made me not like him more after that hold out he had… he just doesent seem like much to me.

From what I have seen, the grades on them were about equal coming out of college

So comparing them to each other and their stats seems like a good bet to measure how they are improving. I think they are both on pace to have 1000 yard years next year and hopefully Dez will get double digit TDs as well. He came close enough this year.

This story/incident should not be a suprise, it's expected

That’s why he dropped into the 20’s. So far is has played like a first rounder, but not like a top 10 talent. If he can improve his life skills, and not go all pacman on us, he’ll end up being great pick. One thing I do like about him, is that he does not quit, he absolutely gives it his all out on the field, he doesn’t make a scene. He just needs to have a life coach or something.

Dez vs. Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson’s first three years in the league

2007: 48-756-4
2008: 78-1331-12
2009: 67-984-5

Dez is just one receiving touchdown (15 to 16) behind Johnson after two years, and admittedly more in terms of catches and yards (108-1489 to 126-2089), but Johnson didn’t have to compete against the likes of Miles Austin and Jason Witten for receptions; he only had to share balls with ROY WILLIAMS.

I think Bryant is progressing nicely and like many have already said, can see a breakthrough season in 2012.

Off topic, but Dre Kirkpatrick will be there at 14
But

He will also be their later no way cowbooys pick him now.

Yep, don't want a pot-head, way too high risk for suspensions
i saw a mock that had him gone 6th? iirc

i’m not sold on 6’3 CB being able to cover

which is unfortunate

Really liked him till i found out he liked drugs.. heck i still like em think hes a great player but dallas will in no way take him.

ATBOB

will be a key to a successful season in 2012. As long as we protect Romo and even more so if we don’t sign Robinson. I think the “take over the game” theme sounds better. He could have a breakout season and we still not get to the playoffs. Alot depends on the rest of the team, coachs, f.o. too. I’m in line at the cool aide cooler. Tear-em up Dez! Just stay healthy. we’re glad you’re young.

I think Dez could break out next year

but I still think his biggest weakness is lack of consistent attention to detail, which leads to inconsistency, which leads to lack of trust from the QB and coaches (after an imprecise route leads to an incompletion or interception). Dez seems to be very emotional, which is why I wasn’t surprised at the nightclub incident. Think about it…emotional people are often the type that don’t have great attention to detail. Occupations that require extreme attention to detail like actuaries and accountants are stereotyped as dry, dull, and unemotional. I think Dez is the opposite…very emotional and enthusiastic, but not as detailed and precise. Hopefully with more experience less attention to detail will be overcome by repetition and maturity. He may be simliar to T.O. in personality. He hasn’t shown the “me first” personality and I hope he never does, but remember that didn’t come out of TO until after his third year.

True

We dont need another TO… i think dez needs to call michael Irvan and talk about things with him Irvan’s been their done that he could maybe help dez go in the right direction off the field. im sure 88 would love to help the new 88

The biggest thing stopping Dez

is Dez. If he is going to grow up and show some maturity then we need him on the roster. The kid can be a game changer when he wants to be. I keep hoping that Michael working with him n Drew busting his chops gets him headed in the right direction.

oh

i didnt kno that michael was already working with him. i dunno get jimmy johnsons on him he seems to be able to keep people in line… well sort of. but really dez is making alot of money to play a game he loves. u would think he wouldent do the off the field stuff. hes living his dream being a dallas cowboys it was his fav team. you would think that alone would be a wake up call from the bad behavior

I don't know what people expect of him.

I thought he had a damn fine year and delivered anytime the ball was put in a catchable position.

If anything, I thought his lack of production had more to do with our offensive system and a little conservatism on Tony’s part.

I think this offense, if we really want to see progress, needs to get more aggressive in its playcalling and the types of plays it calls. I like Jason Garrett, but right now he is not on the cutting edge like Payton or McCarthy.

Everyone here is so adamant that our O-line is what needs fixing but I think our current ceiling has much more to do with how we call plays than anything else. I mean this past year we got Tony for 16 games and improved upon the black hole that was Marc Colombo. What happened? Our offense only improved marginally. At some point, the inability to become elite has to fall on Garrett. I think he may be the classic case of very good, but not elite.

uh..

the o-line got alot worse all way around.. tyron was the only exception. and of course lumpy every where else was a down grade from the year b4 romo was still hit often so what he didnt get hurt he just doesnt have a bunch of time. the oline is the major problem on offense and i think everyone else would argree. JG has done the best he can with the lineman he had. hard to call plays when linemen cant block

You sure about that?

I don’t really think the line was worse at all this year. Tyron was 100x better than Colombo. Kosier and Lumpy were an improvement over Davis and Kosier. I suppose Costa was worse than Gurode, but still, isn’t it worth asking why we didn’t improve much on offense as compared to 2010? Tony played 16 games, we had two largely competent tackles for the first time in a while, and had as many weapons as we have had maybe ever (Miles was hurt yes, but DeMarco and Fiametta emerged). Why did our offense not really improve statistically? If nothing else, shouldn’t have Tony playing 16 games improved us significantly? It seems that something doesn’t make sense here.

Defense

let us down alot. and for the begining of the season we had a few changes in our o-line. and i think kosier regressed a bit. but i do see where ur coming from but at the same time i think if we had a better line we could have had more offensive success because romo would have more time to throw and murray would have been more productive. skill player wise i think were in good shape. have pretty good depth their (if we resign LR) but the o-line has been a mess for the past few years

I just think it's interesting. If you had given most people

an opportunity to predict what would become of this offense if Tony started 16 games and Tyron turned into one of the better rookie tackles in recent memory, I think most would have predicted a great increase in our offensive production. And yet, that wasn’t the case at all. That certainly raises a red flag for me when I see people predicting that we can become the Saints or the Packers with one or two upgrades on the line. I just wonder exactly how much higher the ceiling of this offense is.

Also, here is one more point that has interested me. It seems as if Jason Garrett is let off the hook with the assumption that he can’t do it all without solid to great players at every position. And yet, before the season, many somehow expected Rob Ryan, a single coach, to be able to turn around a whole unit’s performance with almost no upgrades talent-wise. What does that say about our perception of the two?

well...

both need better players to work with jason needs to get a o-line. rob needs just about everything. im acually ok with what rob did since he had to teach his system on the fly and if im not misteaken we still finished around the middle of the pack in defense. and thats a wayyy better preformance than last year. our d has gotten old and just a bunch of JAGS its not robs fault hes just trying to turn chicken S*** into chicken salad and its taking a bit bc the only 3 people on the D that could be considered good and thats D-Ware J-Rat and Sean Lee. i think Jenkins is good but he hasent been consistant. and lissimore should be good hope he gets more snaps next season. possibly taking over for kenyon colman

Ha!

If anything, the O line, and subsequent fear of losing Romo, is keeping Garrett from being as aggressive as he is wont to be.

Improve the line, and I guarantee that Garrett will be on the “cutting-edge.”

did you get that vision on the toilet oneday?
That point is well received I think

I very much get annoyed with Garrett’s obsession on Establishing the Run, and playing Smart Football.

Interesting Comparison of NY/A over the past 3 years
2009:
Dallas 7.3
GB 6.9
NO 7.7

2010:
Dallas 6.7
GB 7.1
NO 6.5

2011
Dallas 6.9
GB 8.3
NO 7.8

I’ve drawn some conclusions from this, but I’ll leave others to draw their own

Some interesting things

Green Bay’s O-Line was lampooned and ridiculed in 2009, and considered one of the reasons they weren’t successful then. In 2010 many thought GB had fixed their Oline issues and yet what doomed them in the 2011 playoffs was the Giants Pass Rush causing massive Pass Rushing Pressure. And yet, GB had the highest NY/A of all teams in the NFL.

Sack Percentage is also responsible for a lot of problems with our adjustments. QBs are often responsible for how many sacks they take (Once again pilfering from Fitat)

Here’s a nice Little accounting of Drew Brees Sacks, percentage, and NY/A over the course of his career:

Year Sacks Sack % NY/A
2002 24 4.4 5.6
2003 21 5.6 5.1
2004 18 4.3 7.2
2005 27 5.1 6.4
2006 18 3.1 7.5
2007 16 2.4 6.5
2008 13 2.0 7.7
2009 20 3.7 8.0
2010 25 3.7 6.5
2011 24 3.5 7.8

And for fun here is Carson Palmer’s

2004 25 5.5 5.9
2005 19 3.6 7.1
2006 36 6.5 6.8
2007 17 2.9 6.8
2008 11 7.9 4.7
2009 26 5.3 5.9
2010 26 4.2 6.2
2011 17 4.9 7.6

What’s so interesting about these two? Both switched teams at points during their career and got “different” O-Lines. So you tell me, is there enough statistical difference between these two QBs sack totals at their different careers to account for the hubbub

Carson Palmer 2011, Drew Brees 2006

Eew

Those didn’t come out as nice as I wanted them to. Maybe I’ll make a fanpost.

as Deputy Director of Fanpost Affairs

I approve of this……

Dez is not a problem in my books. And he's been very productive.

Statistically speaking, he’s been highly productive in his first two seasons:Over 100 receptions, 1400 yards, and 19 total touchdowns (receiving and returning).

According to Pro Football Focus: in their ranking’s of WR’s with best catch rate-catches vs drops, Bryant was #2 in their list of top 20 WRs who had the least amount of drops per reception. Moreover, the people at profootball focus rate him as the 10th best WR in the league.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/01/17/drop-rate-2011-which-receivers-are-dropping-the-ball/

The Biggest Key

for the offense will be to swap sides with Smith and Free putting Free BACK on the right where he IS effective. I just hope they keep Murray, Tanner and Morris (for another year or two while they rebuild the defnse and look for depth; they can replace him AFTER a couple of years) and trade Felix for a draft pick or two.

wow

you really wanna keep morris? no way! give me the cat as the back up any day morris is washed up had a ok game aginst tb this season other games mediocre at best. let em go but tanner will be here unless we draft another rb but i doubt it. and its not like we could get much for felix a 5th rounder at best id rather keep felix.

also

i doubt he even has a few years left in him hes allready 36 or so and for a rb thats like being 100

how does anyone know

he ran bad routes?

How many did he run?

RKG... but needs to stay out of the media... I see that Romo is still the subject of criticism

Down the stretch I thought Romo’s problem was the hand injury, he couldn’t throw deep. I’ve heard all the insults about McGee… but I count 2 steamboats before he was sacked. I think the OL was worse with Dockery in there because neither Dockery or Kosier can handle a stunt. Maybe Dockery needs more time but I don’t expect there will be a move at LG if Holland can be re-signed.

OL next year is Smith-Holland-Costa-Kowalski-Free. I hope Arkin beats out Kowalski but if he does Kowalski is still a great backup at Center. If anything I see a change at RT because Free was also terrible. Since we’ve locked him up I see more competition at RG and expect we will draft a LG who will start on the right-side. I have high hopes for Arkin but he might actually be a better option at RT then Doug Free.

If you line-up Bennett-Smith-Holland-Costa and run left with Fiammetta and Demarco you should be able to open some big holes.

man

i really hope your wrong about the oline… costa and kowalski as starters…. someone get the ambulance ready for romo! and we can kiss a sb good by with that costa is a 3rd stringer at best and kowalski is not ready. honestly i doubt our starting center and guard is on this roster right now.

According to Broadus, the team knows it needs help at guard/center. there will be a move made there, the question is what move
Also

bennett is a FA this year so i doubt he will be back. and i hope we get nicks from the saints or the Center from the vikings. cant rember his name atm. but we need o line and D help bad at pretty much ever place

Sullivan is his name and he already signed a 5 year extension with the vikes
dang.

never mind then. i dunno any other centers in FA is worth it… wonder how the centers in the drafts are and if their is any value for one in the 2nd or 3rd round.

theres definitely value in rounds 2-3 at center. but we need defense and guards also
But

If we get nicks from the saints and then draft a center in the 2nd or 3rd round, we could let lumpy hold on the left spot nicks use the right and have a nice center to groom for the future. I really don’t expect much from arkin.. Another small school risk that didn’t pay off. (Of course we have had some small school players do good) but seriously I don’t kno if one draft is enough to fix this.. Wish we had a good amount of cap room n could sign who ever we wanted.

so you're writing off Arkin

after a lockout shortened rookie season? The same guy who came into the league – with most scouts saying he needed to add strength – and through sheer determination and nastiness was at least able to compete with NFL caliber players (in the preseason)?

This article was about WR’s needing 3-4 years to reach their potential, well Oline needs 5-6 years before they reach their potential.

At least give guys like Arkin, Kowalski & Nagy a second year (and full offseason) before you say they don’t “pay off”.

Patience is the key with the Oline, not saying we should rely on the young guys improving if there is an upgrade available, but Dallas has made the mistake in the past of not letting their young guys develop on the oline because they were not patient.

I would be on board with Nicks for sure, DeCastro would not be a horrible pick if he were the top-rated player available… but make no mistake, Arkin is very talented and a potential starter. Nagy and Kowalski look like they could be very good backups who can start for a long stretch without missing a beat. Just give them some time.

Dez, like the rest of the team,

if he breaks out, I’ll believe it. But show me first.

Dez does almost everything a WR should...

He CATCHES the catchable balls.
He blocks down the field.
He continues to improve his route running and footwork.

Route tree and getting in sync with QB on changes at the line are the last pieces, I think.

Bottom line is…I’m excited for the guy.

Working with Jimmy Robinson during the offseason will help

but he also needs to put in the work and focus on the little things. Once he does that Dez is gonna be monster.

Really? Come on !!

First, I have to be patient that Jerry will become a great GM.
Next, I have to be patient that Garrett will grow as a head coach.
Then, I have to be patient that Romo will make a big play when it matters.
Now, I have to be patient that our resident idiot will actually be ranked in the top 20 WRs.
Damn, how long do I have to be patient?

Oh Yeah

16 years and counting

Nah...

Jerry doesn’t need to be a great GM, just average would do.
Garrett has and will continue to grow.
Romo makes big plays throughout games.
Dez will probably be a top 20 WR next season.
To answer your question though….eight months or so. :)

So what this team has done under Jerry's watch is all for nothing?

Since Jerry became owner:
3 SBs, 3 NFC Titles, 4 NFC Title Games, 8 NFC East Crowns, 12 playoff appearances.

The Redskins in that same time frame:
1 SB, 1 NFC Title, 1 NFC Title Game, 2 NFC East Titles, 6 playoff appearances.

The Giants in that same time frame:
2 SB, 3 NFC Titles, 4 NFC Title Games, 7 NFC East Titles, 11 playoff appearances.

The Eagles in that same time frame:
0 SBs, 1 NFC Title, 5 NFC Title Games, 7 NFC East Titles, 14 playoff appearances,

The 49ers in that same time frame:
2 SB Titles, 2 NFC Titles, 7 NFC Title games, 9 NFC West Titles, 12 playoff appearances,

The Packers in that same time frame:
2 SB titles, 3 NFC Titles, 6 NFC Title Games, 8 Division Titles (3 NFC Central, 5 NFC North), 14 playoff appearances,

It seems to me that compared to our NFC Rivals (Division + Packers+49ers), only the Eagles and Packers have made the playoffs more times than the Cowboys. Only the Eagles, Packers, and 49ers have more appearances in the NFC title game.

I’m not denying the rollercoaster swings in playoff appearances from 2003-present, or the fact we sucked from 1999-2002, or the fact we had bad drafts in 04, 06, and 09. All I’m saying is for all the screw ups, this team hasn’t been a crapfest like other organizations. We definitely have it better than fans of most NFL franchises. As much as we’d all like to, we can’t win the SB every year.

I had the benefit of becoming a fan during the 1990s when this team was winning SBs, but I appreciate having to go through these past 16 seasons because it taught me how to be a fan & manage expectations for my team’s performance, and how to appreciate the good times when you have it.

Jerry Got Lucky

. . . buying the Cowboys as they endured several bottom seasons, giving Dallas elite draft status. Then in Aikman’s first year, Dallas again earned top drafting honors. Then the Hershel Heist happened; give Jones credit for this. All of it. But, since this draft bonanza played out, there has been nothing. Nothing. And, note that Jones fiddled and fracked around with the dynasty – firing Jimmy after a drunken embroglio at the combine – costing Dallas at least one championship, in the first year of the Oklahoma idiot (loss to the 49ers in 1994) , and Jones failed to parlay this Hershel draft bounty into future value to rebuild. Jones is a great owner but his record as GM post triplets is worse than an F.

Go sing for another team than.
Go sing for another team then.
As long as you're a Cowboy fan I guess. Look, if the Cowboys win the 2013 SB, some will

jump on this blog as time runs out to start bemoaning our chances for a 2014 repeat.

that's the truth
Sing, the good news is you are getting it.

The bad news is you are right!. It’ll be a while.

Keep Dez - Trade Miles
no way

That should or will happen. Without miles and if for sum reason we don’t sign LR our starting recievers woule be Dez Ogaltree and holly. Ill pass on tht n keep miles

There are some separators

Dez loves football more than anything….well, except jewelry. He wants to win in the worst way. Nothing makes him more crazy than a bad play or a bad game. He oozes talent. He was a little shocked to come into the NFL and realize that that talent didn’t take him right to the top floor. But he’s had good people in his ear since day one. There is several of Garrett’s keys to a RKG apparent in this kid. He wants to be the best. He wants to win. He’s willing to put in the work. He has the physical attributes to succeed. Even a player as talented as Calvin Johnson didn’t really explode in his rookie season. He had a tremendous second year, but the Lions didn’t have anyone else to throw to. And in his third season he had a dip.

What I don’t want to happen is Dallas trade Dez for a draft pick that’s not worthy, and have him explode for some other team. Patience is required. Dez is not getting busted for drugs. He’s not at the center of domestic disputes. He’s Mr. Saggy pants. He’s learning how to pay bills. He’s getting into shoving matches at bars. Granted not good, but not criminal. We don’t need to get rid of him, we need more players with his level of talent.

you used a key word for this team - patience

This team as it is constructed will require patience.

Arkin, Nagy & Kowalski will all require patience – with the reward being a starter (Arkin) and good depth on the interior line. Keep in mind most offensive linemen won’t reach their potential until year 5 or 6 in the NFL – which is good news for Tron, and bad news for the guys lining up against him.

Dez seems on the verge of breaking out, be patient. And for those wanting to trade Miles – you are not paying attention if you think you are getting a premium pick for Miles. Think about this for a moment, take away the name… Would you be happy if Jerry gave up a first round pick for a 27 year old WR, coming off an injury plagued season, whose best year was two years ago, and has one great season (81 rec 1320 yds 11 TD) one good season (69 rec 1041 yds 7 TD) three seasons where he didn’t see the field and his most recent season he couldn’t stay healthy due to hamstring issues.

If Jerry traded away a first round pick for this player we would all be screaming at him for making another dumb move. And if you think Jerry is a horrible GM, do you really think other GM’s around the league would approve this trade? At best, you are getting a 2 and 4 for Miles. More likely is a 3rd round pick for him.

And I have news for you, Miles is worth more to this team than any 3rd round pick would be.

Also trading Miles would mean we would have no proven #1 WR and no #3 WR.

Note to Wolf: I know you didn’t mention trading Miles, but I have seen it in other places and it just makes me shake my head….

Funny, there were 88 comments when I opened this...

Another example of the media leading people around by the nose. Welcome to E!SPN. I think I can wait until he actually does something really bad before I worry about whether he should be on the team. He probably lacks a little maturity, but I don’t see anything yet that says “dump him”. Michael Irvin was doing many worse things in his day and we still found it possible to cheer for him.

I do like that I could see improvement in his play from the beginning of the year to the end. That bodes well for the team as they get a full off-season to work.

I like Dez

But he really has to grow up and stay out of trouble..Our Cowboys are hated by so many media outlets; this only gives them more ammo

I'd like to think that if we're comparing Dez to anyone, it should be Hakeem Nicks and Jeremy Maclin

It certainly makes it a bit easier, since all three are relatively new, they play a ton of common opponents, and both have great teammates in the receiving corps that they help or are helped by: Maclin with Desean/Avant, Nicks with Cruz/Manningham, and Dez with Austin/Robinson.

Over their first few years:

Maclin
YR 1 – 15 gms- 56-773-13.8-4
YR 2 – 16 gms- 70-964-13.8-10
YR 3 – 13 gms- 63-859-13.6-5

Nicks
YR 1 – 14 gms- 47-790-16.8-6
YR 2 – 13 gms- 79-1052-13.3-11
YR 3 – 15 gms- 76-1192-15.7-7

Bryant
YR 1 – 12 gms- 45-561-12.5-6
YR 2 – 15 gms- 63-928-14.7-9

So, from what I’ve seen, Dez is right on track with these two WRs, and we can probably expect similar numbers in between what Maclin and Nicks had for year 3. Dez’s YPC are similar to the other two, as well as the number of TDs.

Provided Dez can stay healthy, I don’t think I see anything to warrant much unhappiness in the future.

I Hope So

Hakeem is a beast!! He’s also the number #1 wr so those are good numbers considering the insane year cruz had.

Haha he definitely is. Problem is, none of the three WRs can stay healthy for a full year...
Definately agree with you...

I see him having his best year so far, with even better things to come.. (2012 – 70 catches, 1K + yds, 10 TD’s) I really think this is the year that he will start to realize what it takes to be a pro. On the field and off.. He is still young, 23, and is learning.

They always say the 3rd year for a WR is the breakout year...
Maclin is garbage and is scared to get hit.

I hear people in Philly actually saying he’s more important than Deshaun.

The safety is never over the top of Maclin. Never.

As soon as Deshaun missed a game this year Maclin got hurt. The safety was finally playing on top of him and he didn’t make it through the game.

I’ve seen the guy go across the middle and basically duck out the way as the ball hit’s his hands and pops up in the air for an INT.

This happened twice against the Cowboys. Twice against other teams.
Might have something to do with his first pre-season game where he almost got murdered on his first attempted catch.

Please don’t use Maclin. Hopefully we can compare him to Irvin when he’s done. They have similar stats their first two years and both were injured in their first year.

So

Apparently Dez got into it with Lil Wayne at a club.

Stupid

Both

Eh

I don’t know the details.

Is a Lil Wayne anything like a Lil Johnson?
just an editiing comment

calvin johnson not clavin johnson

True Story

I logged onto BTB this morning and there were 88 comments on this article

I always liked Tony Casillas, but he made a fool of himself this morning on 105.3 in DFW.

Casillas said Dez should be cut, he’ll never learn and will probably only get worse. I’ve been critical of Dez, but that’s ridiculous. If that had happened in the 90s Dallas would have won no SBs.

Yeah

Anybody who thinks Dez should be cut or traded is not very smart.

Fellas

I’m not sure he should be cut, but Dez has consistenly shown his ability to make bad decisions. We can all say he’s young but you can name a ton of wrs who haven’t been in trouble at all. The way things are looking he will continue on this path. I hope not but I’d be lying if I said I don’t expect it.

He's never done anything that bad, being young and dumb aint against the law.

If it was, I imagine a lot of us would’ve spent time in the pokie.

I'd be serving life. Lol
Wolf

Come on dude, your giving him a free pass, he’s a young professional being paid millions of dollars. I’m also concerned about his missing meetings..There is no excuse, JJ has tried to help him out and it seems this isn’t working..I know someone who went to school with him and knows him. According to them he hasn’t grown up.There has to be a point in ones life where they “get it” I guess he isn’t there yet,but I can’t give him a free pass like its ok because he’s 23.

I'm one of the most critical guys on here, when it comes to Dez.

They knew when they drafted him there was baggage, that’s why he dropped. Giving up on him now would be as dumb as it gets. If it get worse don’t resign him, but in the mean time do everything they can to help him get his sh!t together.

i wonder if Dallas takes a shot on J.Jenkins CB.

that kid is a monster & imo the best CB in the draft this season

Jerry likes the bad boys, but I kinda doubt JG does.

If it comes to a pissing contest, I bet Jerry wins.

Wonder how much pull

RR would have since it is for his D

I'm just hoping RG has some say on the draft,

Thinking RR will have input is stretching it.

He'll have input for sure

but no way should he have final say. JG will be here long after RR is gone.

He gets to decide if the donuts are glazed or filled.
when did coach cupcake get rehired?
RR makes Wade look like Twiggy.
Can you imagine

If we drafted Kirkpatrick in the first, then Jenkins in the 2nd? My dream scenario.

If that happens, they better hire somemore baby sitters.
I watched Kirkpatrick

Get burnt several times this year, I wish we could snag Claiborne from LSU but he’ll be long gone..I’m not sold on Kirkpatrick.

section 3 code 6 of Dallas Texas reads- no sagging pants in the upsacle malls.

Dez & his friends clearly broke that unoffical security guard law.

The problem is, Dez is 23 going on 16.
So before entering said mall, he should've read said code?

Seriously? What freaking planet are the people of North Dallas on? Go to any mall in this country and you’ll see people who sagg their pants, and it’s not just limited to one race or another.

Northpark Mall is a snooty upscale mall, their ploicy is follow the rules or stay out.
kind of like my house

follow my rules or get the heck out!

Sure..........more like follow her rules or get out.
damn that was funny
ok you're right

damn it.

Wow

Are you serious? Thats a law? smh

only in north Dallas
Wow, trade or cut Dez, WHY?

What hase Dez done that has been considered to run a foul on society?
1) He covered up talking to Deion Sanders
2) He sagged his pants in a mall
3) He’s learning the lesson that if you buy something on credit, you have to still
pay for it
4) He got into a push and shove incident in a club
5) He refused to wear Deion’s crappy Under Armour Cleats

He’s hardly Mushin Muhammad who killed his baby mamma. He’s not Ray Lewis who obstructed justice in a murder investigation. He’s not Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis or Sam Hurd with an interstate drug ring. He’s not Pacman who likes to make it rain in strip clubs and fight strippers when they pick up their keep afterwords. He’s not Tank Johnson or the dude from the Browns who get possessing illegal firearms or taking a gun to an airport (Got Switzer?). He’s not Michael Irvin who supposedly stabbed a teammate with scissors over a seat in a barbershop. He’s not Alonzo Spellman going awol on national tv because he forgot to take his meds. He’s not Lawrence Taylor who likes to smoke crack, not pay child support, and find himself in hotel rooms with teenage hookers. He’s not even Dante Stallworth who drives while intoxicated and ends up treating a jaywalking pedestrian like a speed bump.

Again I ask, what crime, or morally depraved conduct has Dez Bryant engaged in?

Mushin Muhammad

Didn’t kill his childs mother..

my bad, Rae Carruth
glad you corrected that

Mushin Muhammad is a great guy and a pillar in this community.

^^^^^^

What he said

FACE PALM on my part.

I wish there was a way to edit a comment. I just want to reiterate that I was referring to Rae Carruth, I drew a blank, and only remembered the guy played for the Panthers. I’m sorry if this offended anyone related to Mushin Muhammad. Mushin Muhammad is not a criminal.

That would be nice addition to the site.

An edit buttom

Can this post please be deleted?
NO..................BUSTED
LOL
If you flag it they might take it down.

I had a post that was incoherent. I was still typing my thought s before I hit the post button. I flagged it myself and it disappeared.

Or...

Erik Walden or the scores of athletes that beat their old ladies or Rolando McClain that put a gun to some guy’s head.

I could care less about the Deion sitiuation

It seems as if Deions intentions with Dez was to steer him towards Under Armour anyway. He did the same thing with Crabtree the year before.

My main problem with Dez is

how little he protects the ball after the catch. Fortunately, it hasn’t bit him yet, but the way he flails his arms around, fighting for more yardage, eventually it’s going to catch up to him. I appreciate the intensity, but protect the ball!!!

Dez is still growing as a man... Have we all at some point?????
  1. is a beast on the field. I seen no other on the Cowboys team that displays more passion and desire during gameday on the field than Dez. This team is filled with players that underperform or act like they are doing a chore doing gametime. So for those that constantly critical of this guy get a life. Personally what he does in the off season I couldn’t care less as long as it doesn’t take away from his game performance. If Garret would call plays better he would have had a much better season. With strong, fast, receivers such as #88 & #19 his signal calling should had been filled with quick slants, wide receiver strings, picks, etc. Anything to get the ball in these guys hands due to their tackle breaking ability. Thats how u neutrilize double teams. Garret deserving to call plays for any NFL team. C’mon Man.
So lemme get this straight...

A bunch of punk ass nobodies that thought that they were somebodies were talking smack about Dez and Dez took care of business…sounds like a man to me. I’d imagine if Witten did it we’d all have his back, and probably take care of some business for him after the fact. I say go Dez, beat up the rapper too…it’ll give you practice for facing Asomugha next year.

I think Dez could have easily broke out this year

but since your offense has so many weapons hes just another weapon. Another thing is that Romo doesnt have faith to take chances throwing to Dez. Calvin Johnson gets double /tripled coverage but Stafford will still throw the ball his way and he comes up with big plays. When it comes to jump balls Dez is just as good as Andre & Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitz. Im not saying throw into double coverage all the time but there are sometimes where you just have to take chances

I think that Dez and a lot of other second year guys and rookies were all hurt by the lockout

this past off season

Dez has HOF talent.

Period. What Dez does with that potential is purely up to Dez.

But if/when he does, we will all be able to hear the sound of 31 defensive backfields simultaneously soil themselves.

Gimme Dez ...

If not paying your bills on time and getting into shouting matches at clubs is the price we hafta pay for 900 yrds and 9 TDs, I’ll take it. I suspect it will be something like 1100 and 10 TDs next year.

I will remind everyone that Roy Williams always paid his bills on time and I don’t know if he even goes to clubs. But he also sucks so … gimme the guy with talent and that still responds to reporters with “yes sir” and “no sir.” (sorry guess its my southern background that appreciates that). He’ll figure it out.

I love Dez, but if a team like the Browns gives you a super offer for him..

You might have to bite

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Does the anagram thumb sports? The weekday slice rails. Sports pats the meal below the style. A kiss tools a recipe opposite the irrational slash. The honey plays with the foreseeable sample.

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